Associate Professor Shanfan Lin Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics
Email: linsf@dicp.ac.cn
Tel: 0411-84376025
Address: National Engineering Research Center of Lower-Carbon Catalysis Technology, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 457 Zhongshan Road, Dalian 116023, P. R. China
Shanfan Lin obtained his Ph.D. degree in the field of zeolite catalysis and C1 chemistry from the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (DICP), Chinese Academy of Sciences, under the supervision of Professors Zhongmin Liu and Yingxu Wei. He was recognized as an “Outstanding Young Ph.D. Talent” by DICP and was appointed as an Associate Professor in 2023 directly after his Ph.D. study and joined the research group led by Prof. Zhongmin Liu at the National Engineering Research Center of Lower-Carbon Catalysis Technology. His main project is about the mechanism of zeolite-catalyzed C1 species conversion, including methanol-to-hydrocarbons (MTH) and dimethyl ether-to-hydrocarbons (DTH). Specifically including dynamic autocatalysis process, diffusion and deactivation, with multi-technique approach by integrating kinetics, electronic states analysis, PDOS electronic interaction analysis and multiple in situ and operando spectroscopic analyses. To date, his key contributions center on establishing the dynamic mechanism of MTO (J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2025, 147, 14, 11585), including the following highlights: Unveiling the full-spectrum of MTO—dynamic autocatalysis process from initiation to decay (J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2021, 143, 12038); Revealing the chemical nature of the autocatalytic induction period in MTO (Chem Catalysis, 2023, 3, 5); Introducing a mechanistic model of multiscale dynamic cross-talk of Diffusion-Reaction-Catalyst (Coke Modification) (Natl. Sci. Rev., 2022, 9, 9, nwac151); Disclosing the complete dynamic reaction network and process of MTO, constituting two simultaneous and interplaying pathways: the main reactions for olefin generation as the "Open-line" and ever-evolving organic species from generation to aging within zeolite confined acid microenvironment as the "Hidden-line" (Chinese J. Catal., 2023, 46, 11).
Research Interests & Areas
Zeolite Catalysis | C1 Chemistry | Methanol-to-Olefins (MTO)
Focused on elucidating reaction mechanisms and advancing process development for zeolite-catalyzed conversion of C1 species (methanol, dimethyl ether, syngas) into olefins and aromatics.
Current research directions:
1. Dynamic reaction mechanisms in the MTO process, with an emphasis on constructing complex dynamic autocatalytic networks.
2. Formaldehyde formation and its mechanistic role in the MTO reaction network.
3. Multiscale dynamic cross-talk among diffusion, reaction, and catalyst evolution, particularly in relation to coke formation and modification.
4. Atmospheric effects of CO, CO₂, and H₂ on MTO and other C1 species conversion process.
Education
2016.09–2023.06
Ph.D., Industrial Catalysis (Direct-track)
Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
2015.09–2016.07
Ph.D., Industrial Catalysis (Direct-track)
University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
2011.09–2015.07
B.Eng., Energy Chemical Engineering
School of Chemical Engineering, Northwest University
Experience
2023.06---Now, Associate Professor in Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics
Publications
1. Shanfan Lin, Hua Li, Peng Tian, Yingxu Wei*, Mao Ye*, Zhongmin Liu*. Methanol to olefins (MTO): understanding and regulating dynamic complex catalysis. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 2025, 147, 14, 11585-11607. Published March 26, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.4c12145
2. Shanfan Lin, Yuchun Zhi, Wei Chen, Huan Li, Wenna Zhang, Caiyi Lou, Xinqiang Wu, Shu Zeng, Shutao Xu, Jianping Xiao*, Anmin Zheng*, Yingxu Wei*, Zhongmin Liu*. Molecular routes of dynamic autocatalysis for methanol to hydrocarbon (MTH) reaction. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 2021, 143, 31, 12038-12052. Published July 28, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.1c03475
3. Shanfan Lin, Yuchun Zhi, Zhiqiang Liu, Jiamin Yuan, Wenjuan Liu, Wenna Zhang, Zhaochao Xu, Anmin Zheng, Yingxu Wei*, Zhongmin Liu*. Multiscale dynamical cross-talk in zeolite-catalyzed methanol and dimethyl ether conversions. National Science Review, 2022, 9, 9, nwac151. Published August 04, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1093/nsr/nwac151
4. Shanfan Lin, Yuchun Zhi, Wenna Zhang, Xiaoshuai Yuan, Chengwei Zhang, Shutao Xu, Yingxu Wei*, Zhongmin Liu*. Hydrogen transfer reaction contributes to the dynamic evolution of zeolite-catalyzed methanol and dimethyl ether conversions: insight into formaldehyde. Chinese Journal of Catalysis, 2023, 46, 11-27.Available online February 23, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1872-2067(22)64194-9
5. Shanfan Lin, Yingxu Wei*, Zhongmin Liu*. Autocatalytic induction period in zeolite-catalyzed methanol conversion. Chem Catalysis, 2023, 3, 5, 100597. Available online April 10, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.checat.2023.100597
6. Wenna Zhang, Shanfan Lin, Yingxu Wei*, Peng Tian, Mao Ye, Zhongmin Liu*. Cavity-controlled methanol conversion over zeolite catalysts [J]. National Science Review, 2023, 10, 9, nwad120. Published May 05, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1093/nsr/nwad120
7. Shu Zeng, Wenna Zhang, Junjie Li, Shanfan Lin, Shutao Xu*, Yingxu Wei, Zhongmin Liu. Revealing the roles of hydrocarbon pool mechanism in ethanol-to-hydrocarbons reaction. Journal of Catalysis, 2022, 413, 517-526. Available online July 4, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcat.2022.07.002
8. Miao Yang, Bing Li, Mingbin Gao, Shanfan Lin, Ye Wang, Shutao Xu, Xuebin Zhao, Peng Guo, Yingxu Wei, Mao Ye, Peng Tian*, Zhongmin Liu*. High Propylene Selectivity in Methanol Conversion over a Small-Pore SAPO Molecular Sieve with Ultra-Small Cage. ACS Catalysis, 2020, 10, 6, 3741-3749. Published February 26, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1021/acscatal.9b04703
9. Xinqiang Wu, Wei Chen, Shutao Xu, Shanfan Lin, Tantan Sun, Anmin Zheng*, Yingxu Wei*, Zhongmin Liu*. Dynamic Activation of C1 Molecules Evoked by Zeolite Catalysis. ACS Central Science, 2021, 7, 4, 681-687. Published March 24, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1021/acscentsci.1c00005
10. Xuebin Zhao, Jinzhe Li, Peng Tian*, Linying Wang, Xiaofang Li, Shanfan Lin, Xinwen Guo, Zhongmin Liu*. Achieving a Superlong Lifetime in the Zeolite-Catalyzed MTO Reaction under High Pressure: Synergistic Effect of Hydrogen and Water. ACS Catalysis, 2019, 9, 4, 3017-3025. Published February 25, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1021/acscatal.8b04402
11. Chengwei Zhang, Xinqiang Wu, Yanan Zhang, Wenna Zhang, Shanfan Lin, Caiyi Lou, Shutao Xu, Dawei He, Liang Wang, Yingxu Wei*, Zhongmin Liu*. Water-assisted shape-selective production of ethene in methanol-to-olefins reaction on SAPO-34. Chem Catalysis, 2024, 4, 7, 101025. Available online June 11, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.checat.2024.101025
12. Yanan Zhang, Wenna Zhang*, Chengwei Zhang, Linhai He, Shanfan Lin, Shutao Xu, Yingxu Wei*, Zhongmin Liu. The role of C1 species in the methanol-to-hydrocarbons reaction: beyond merely being reactants. Chinese Journal of Catalysis, 2025, 71, 169-178. Available online February April 23, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1872-2067(24)60228-7
13. Xinqiang Wu, Shutao Xu, Yingxu Wei *, Wenna Zhang, Jindou Huang, Shuliang Xu, Yanli He, Shanfan Lin, Tantan Sun, Zhongmin Liu*. Evolution of C-C Bond Formation in the Methanol-to-Olefins Process: From Direct Coupling to Autocatalysis. ACS Catalysis, 2018, 8, 8, 7356-7361. Published July 11, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1021/acscatal.8b02385
14. Zhao Xuebin, Linying Wang, Peng Guo, Nana Yan, Tantan Sun, Shanfan Lin, Xinwen Guo, Peng Tian*, Zhongmin Liu*. Synthesis of high-Si hierarchical beta zeolites without mesoporogen and their catalytic application in the methanol to propene reaction. Catalysis Science & Technology, 2018, 8, 11, 2966-2974. Published May 09, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1039/C8CY00631H
15. Nan Wang, Yuchun Zhi, Yingxu Wei*, Wenna Zhang, Zhiqiang Liu, Jindou Huang, Tantan Sun, Shutao Xu, Shanfan Lin, Yanli He, Anmin Zheng, Zhongmin Liu*. Molecular elucidating of an unusual growth mechanism for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in confined space. Nature Communications, 2020, 11, 1, 1079. Published February 26, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-14493-9